There are nearly 20 hotels and motels in Kill Devil Hills, which range from classic one-story beach motor lodges to national high-rise chains.

As such, visitors will have plenty of options when choosing their accommodations, and will quickly find that a little planning and research will go a long way to securing the perfect vacation destination.

Kill Devil Hills Hotel and Motel Locations

With few exceptions, the majority of Kill Devil Hills' hotels and motels are located either directly on or adjacent to the oceanfront, and are found in a cluster along the Beach Road (NC Highway 12) across from the Wright Brothers National Monument.

These hotels and motels are located close to the beach, certainly, but they are also close to one of the largest commercial areas in town.

The Bypass-bordering region of this section of Kill Devil Hills and the northern borders of Nags Head is known locally as "French Fry Alley," and it's home to a large concentration of restaurants, fast food chains, beach stores like Wings, Reef and Coastal Blue, and arcades, mini golf courses, or other activities.

The Beach Road hotels and motels are often close enough to be within walking distance of local eateries and shops, but also far enough away to be protected from the street noise and traffic.

Types of Kill Devil Hills Motels and Hotels

One could argue that the hotel accommodations in Kill Devi Hills falls into two categories - national chains that often have multiple stories, and 1-2 story locally owned beach motels or resorts. Vacationers will find ample options in both categories, for plenty of diverse accommodation choices

A sample of the accommodation options in Kill Devil Hills and neighboring Nags Head, which are on or within walking distance of the beach, include the following:

Chain Hotels in Kill Devil Hills

  • BEST WESTERN Ocean Reef Suites
  • Comfort Inn On The Ocean
  • Days Inn Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront - Wilbur
  • Days Inn & Suites Mariner
  • Quality Inn Carolina Oceanfront
  • Ramada Plaza Nags Head Oceanfront
  • Travelodge Nags Head Beach Hotel/Outer Banks

Locally Run Motels and Hotels in Kill Devil Hills

  • Cavalier Motel
  • Driftin' Sands Motel
  • Ebb Tide Motel
  • Golden Strand By Evrentals
  • John Yancey Oceanfront Inn
  • Outer Banks Beach Club
  • Outer Banks Inn
  • Outer Banks Motor Lodge
  • Sea Ranch Resort
  • Shutters on the Banks

Amenities at Kill Devil Hills Hotels

Because of the resort-style atmosphere of this beach town, the majority of Kill Devil Hills hotels have a number of amenities available for guests. These can include the following "extras."

Outdoor swimming pools - Typically open from mid or late-May through mid-September. Contact the individual hotel for dates of availability.

Indoor Swimming Pools - Open year round.

Community Hot Tubs - Typically open year round.

Oceanfront Balconies - Typically available with modest "high rise" hotels, or oceanfront hotels with more than three stories.

Proximity to the Beach - The hotels in Kill Devil Hills along the Beach Road are steps away from the ocean, and have a community boardwalk or walking path so guests can reach the shore with ease. NOTE: Because the town beaches in Kill Devil Hills are public, resort or hotel guests do not have private use of the beach in front of their accommodations.

Proximity to Restaurants - In addition to the fast food eateries along "French Fry Alley," many Kill Devil Hills hotels and motels are within walking distance of popular and famed local restaurants on the Beach Road, like Port ?O Call, Jolly Rodger, Red Drum Tap House, and the Kill Devil Grill.

Beach Rentals and Concierge Services - Ask your hotel or motel of any beach gear they have available for rent, (like chairs and umbrellas), or any special services or area discounts for guests, such as recommended taxi services, or coupons to local restaurants and activities.

Booking a Kill Devil Hills Hotel or Motel

The process for booking a Kill Devil Hills motel or hotel is fairly typical of any hotel accommodations, but guests should nevertheless keep the following considerations in mind.

  • Book early for summer stays and holiday weekends. Reservations fill up quickly in June, July and August, as well as Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Book at least 3 months in advance to ensure availability.
  • Rates are higher in the summer, and lower in the winter. Because the Outer Banks is primarily a summertime destination, rates can drop anywhere from 20%-50% in the winter months, after the summer season is over. Some smaller area motels do close for a couple months in the winter, so call ahead for availability.
  • Booking online is usually easy and convenient. The OBX may be located almost off the map, but most all of the local motels and hotels in Kill Devil Hills have online booking engines allowing guests to quickly reserve a room online within minutes.
  • Ask about discounts. Many hotels and motels offer discounts for AAA members, seniors, active or retired military, and other special groups. Ask ahead to see if if any discounts apply.
  • Consider a vacation rental for a long stay, or for a large group. Kill Devil Hills hotels and motels are convenient for families as they are typically closer to more restaurants and shops than any other Outer Banks region. That being said, larger families who are planning to stay for a week or more may want to research vacation rentals as well - the most popular form of accommodations throughout the Outer Banks.
Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 40 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail. We serve by the peck, pound, and dozen, raw or steamed to perfection. Kicked back casual, down to earth friendly staff, and reasonable prices make Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar the all-time favorite of locals and travelers alike.

The idea wasn’t to set out and establish a new concept restaurant on the Outer Banks, but that’s exactly what Awful Arthur’s owner Jo Whitehead and her late husband, Jay, accomplished more than 35 years ago when they opened the area’s first authentic oyster bar.

 

Awful Arthur’s opened in May 1984 on the Outer Banks. “We embraced the concept of an authentic copper top bar with the idea of it being a major drawing card and it still is,” explains Whitehead. “I get oysters wherever they are local. We follow the warm waters.” 

 

Just across from the ocean, in Kill Devil Hills, oyster season is year-round at Awful Arthur’s. Diners can take a seat at the copper-topped bar to observe the staff shucking oysters, served raw or steamed, along with shrimp, crab legs and clams all steamed to perfection. 

 

It’s not just the raw bar that’s earned Awful Arthur’s both local and national recognition, including being named one of America’s greatest oyster bars by Coastal Living magazine. The restaurant is a seafood-lover’s paradise, offering the freshest catches available.